Redwood County 4-H program has new coordinator

During her growing up years in Cottonwood County, Karen Beranek was a member of the Germantown Livewires 4-H Club, and she is confident her experience in the organization focused on helping youth to reach their potential helped to make her ready for her new role as the Redwood County 4-H program coordinator.

During her growing up years in Cottonwood County, Karen Beranek was a member of the Germantown Livewires 4-H Club, and she is confident her experience in the organization focused on helping youth to reach their po-tential helped to make her who she is today.

How Beranek can help other youth in her new role as the Red-wood County 4-H program coordinator.

As coordinator for the Redwood County 4-H program Beranek is going to be working closely with the 11 current clubs, 346 members and 100-plus volunteers who help to make the program such a success.

Beranek has already seen that success in action since officially coming on board in December, and her goal is to help build on what already exists to help make the program even better.

After graduating from Red Rock Central High School, Beranek earned degrees in human development and family studies at South Dakota State University in Brook-ings, S.D.

“When I graduated I wanted to work with 4-H,” said Beranek, who spent the next eight years working through the Extension Service in South Dakota as part of the 4-H program.

Since earning her initial college degree Beranek has also earned a masters degree in family and consumer science, and a few years ago she moved back to the area as her husband, Chad, started farming in the Wanda area.

Looking for a job, Beranek became the library director at the public library in Lam-berton – a job she held for nearly two years before deciding it was time to get back into the 4-H scene.

“I missed 4-H,” said Beranek, adding she had learned so much about community service and leadership that she wanted to be able to share with others.

She is hoping especially to work with the county’s ambassador program to help develop those leadership skills she gained with those area 4-Hers.

Beranek’s message to those who might be considering 4-H as an option said the best part about 4-H is those involved can do and learn about anything they want – whether it is livestock, photography or needlework.

The Beranek family, which also includes son Carter, a first grader, and Jadyn, their four-year-old daughter, are also members of the Lamberton Lep-rechauns 4-H Club.

Beranek is looking forward to meeting all of the 4-H families, and she said if anyone has any questions for her to call (507) 637-4025 or send an email to kberanek@umn.edu.